Illuminated weatherproof writing accessory



Aug. 3, 1954 A. LITTRELL ILLUMINATED WEATHERPROOF WRITING ACCESSORY Filed May 20, 1952 zlllllll/rllgbvl 'III)IIIIIIIM)IIIII;III

IN V EN TOR. Anific Littrell ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 3, 1954 ILLUMINATED WEATHERPROOF WRITING ACCESSORY Anita Littrell, Kennewick, Wash.

Application May 20, 1952, Serial No. 288,871

My invention relates to devices which will aid individuals working in railroad yards, policemen, firemen, and checkers of foods and materials, working outside in inclement weather, and those requiring the making of written records in work done outside in snowy, sleety, rainy, or

inclement weather.

An important object of my invention is to provide illuminated housing means for supporting a pad or tablet of writing material permitting a hand to be inserted thereinto for holding a writing implement in the operation of writing on the tablet or pad and sealing around the wrist portion of the hand so that moisture, rain and sleet cannot interfere with the writing, thus retaining the interior confines of the writing section of my device free from interference by inclement weather conditions.

Another object of my invention is to provide a writing or housing compartment made up of a base section and a transparent section enclosed by a textile material end section having a constricted opening therein, comprising an elastic element confined within a gathered section of the material so as to permit closure of the same, and distension of the same to admit the hand to the interior of the confines or housing used for protecting a tablet and the writing thereon.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the aforementioned character which is equipped with flashlight means having dual-lighting equipment so as to direct at one of its terminals the lighting within the interior confines of the housing means, and auxiliary lighting means at the. other terminal thereof 1 for ordinary flashlight utility and purposes.

A still further object-of my. invention is to provide spring-urged clipmeans for retaining a tablet or Writing pad removably and interchangeably within the confines of the housing means hereinbefore mentioned.

A still further object of my invention is to provide an article of the aforementioned character which is equipped with intermediate funformed, ear means .to. permit .theentire device 4 Claims. (Cl. 2406.4)

to be held conveniently in one hand, permitting the thumb of the left hand to be inserted through the said arcuate holder means, and permitting the remaining fingers to be wrapped around the cylindrical body of the flashlight; at the same time affording a writing support on the arm of the left hand for the housing means so at to provide a steady and rigid structure to support the right hand in which the writing implement is manipulated.

A still further object of my invention is to provide in a device of the aforementioned character, flashlight means equipped with electrical source of supply means adapted to optionally, or collectively, illuminate either of the plural illuminating means, or both of them simultaneously.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a useful device of the aforementioned character which is simple in construction and economical to manufacture in quantity with proper tools and equipment for the purpose.

Other objects, ancillary advantages and features resident in my invention will become apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings, in which the. views are so depicted. as to convey to those familiar with the art, the structural details and uses of my invention; the said drawings being further amplified and elucidated in the ensuing description, where like symbols are used to designate like parts, and in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of my invention shown held in the hand and set up for actual use and operation. 1

Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the flashlight and illuminating structure indicated, which oomprises an important element of my invention.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view showing the arm holding arrangement for sealing about the wrist of the hand that is used to manipulate the writing instrument.

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary and enlarged crosssectional view taken, substantially, on the lines 4-4 of Fig. 1. I 7

'Referring to the various .views, my invention is generally designated 5; the same being held in the left hand 6 as illustrated, the thumb"? thereof being inserted through the arcuate loop holding or ear portion designated 55. Thus, the forearm portion 'of' the hand 6 (not shown) affords a rigid support for the base ll of the weatherproof housingw The said base H has mounted thereon, a tapered transparent enclosure l2 suitably secured thereto by cementing, or any other suitable fastening meansyand terminating at its end opening which is sealed by a textile closure 21, having an edge section thereof 30 cemented to the transparent casing I2 and to the bottom of the base H forming a complete weatherproof enclosure which is ac cessible to the right hand designated 8, bearing the writing instrument 9 for writing on the tablet or paper unit Hi; the same being held in place by virtue of slip ll, being provided with ears 4.3 and having a frictional gripping terminal portion M, the same being urged into gripping relationship by virtue of the spring 42 mounted on the pivot 40 and supported by the til hapes? bracket 38 which is fastened to the base it by means of a rivet as or any other suitable fasten? ing means.

It will be noted that the textile and closure is provided with a restricted arm hole 28, which is expandable by virtue. of the gathered portion indicated confining an elastic element therein, so that the same may be expanded to the dotted position 29 indicated which seals around the wrist of the hand 3 so as to prevent rain or the elements from entering the con-fines; the Weatherproof housing hereinbefore mentioned and described.

The transparent element [-2 is secured to an adapter element of frusto-conica-lformation 1-3, having an integrally formed reflector portion M to concentrate the light rays of the illuminating bulb I 5' onto the surface of the tablet H) on which written record is to be made. The said frusto-conical adapter unit I3 is provided with ledges i1 riveted at it to the base H. The par-- tially frusto-con-ical adapter [-3 is provided with a tubular band section It in which the flashlight as is removably supported. The flashlight is providedwith switches 28 and 21 for operating, respectively, the illuminating bulbs or elements 24 and i5;

The interior of the flashlight, at one terminus has a reflector 23 for concentrating the rays of light of the illuminating bulb 2A through the transparent or colored section of the flashlight 22; the end 22 thus being used for flashlight purposes and the other terminus thereof should shed sufiicient light on the writing that is to be done;

The switch buttons are provided with extensions 25 and 26 for closing contact with the batteries or sources of supply 32 and El, the contacts 3'5 and 3'! thereofserving to optionally close the circuits with the illuminating elements [5 and 2t, by being grounded to the case is of the flashlight and held in contacting relationshipwith the intermediate spring 3 3' furnished with electrical contact washers 34' and 35. The battery terminals 36: and ST being electrically in. intimate contact- With bulbs l5 and 24.

In actual use the device is held" in the left hand 6, the fingers enveloping the body and thumb l being inserted; into ear 45: so; that the base 5| will rest on the forearm to support the writing band 8 for recording on the tablet Ill Illumination [5' and. 2.4: being optional; or lights I5 and 214 may be used individually or in concert de pendent on whether switches 20: and/or 2!: are actuated to close their respective electrical circuits. The. transparent hood l2: protects the writing confines against the: elements.

I believe I haveherein illustrated and described the nature of my invention, and expounded; in expository form, the teachings so that those familiar with, the art willbeable to practice my invention.

Having thus disclosed and revealed my invention, What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. A weatherproof writing accessory and flashlight means, comprising a weatherproof enclosure means including a base of substantially triangular configuration, a transparent cover shell made of, plastic material and. or" substantially semi-conical configuration secured to the said base, and a textile end closure secured to the said cover and to the said base defining a Writing enclosure shielded from the elements, said end enclosure having an elastic arm hole, a partially funnel shaped adapter element securedv to the said base and the said transparent cover, duplex flashlight means having one of its ends secured rernovably to the said adapter element, and ear means on the said flashlight means for engagement by the thumb of a human hand permitting the fingers to envelop the body of the said flashlight means. the said base resting on the forearm forming steady rest for writing.

2. A weatherproof Writing accessory and flashlight means, comprising a Weatherproof enclosure means including a base of substantially triangular configuration, a transparent cover shell made of plastic material and of substantially semi-conical configuration secured to the said base, and a textile end enclosure secured to the said cover and to the said base defining a writing enclosure shielded from the elements, said end closure having an elastic arm hole, a partially funnel-shaped adapter element secured to the said base and the said transparent cover, duplex flashlight means having one of its ends secured removably to the said adapter element, ear means on the said flashlight means for engagement by the thumb of a human hand permittingthe fingers to envelop the body of the said flashlight means, the said base resting on the forearm forming asteady rest for writing, and lamp bulb means at each end of the said duplex flashlight meanssheddi'ng' rays of illumination toward the interior confines of the said Weatherproof enclosure means and forwardly and exteriorly of the said enclosure means.

3. A weatherproof writing accessory and flashlight means, comprising a weatherproof enc'losure means including a base of substantially triangular configuration, a transparent cover shell made of plastic material and of substantially semi-conical configuration secured to the said base, and a textile end enclosure secured to the said cover and to the said base a writing enclosure shielded from the elements, said end closure having an elastic arm hole. a partially funnel-shaped adapter element secured to the said base and the said transparent cover, duplex flashlight means having one" of its ends secured removably to the said adapter ele ment, ear means on the said flasl'ili'ght means for engagement by the thumb of a human hand permitting the fingers to envelop the body of the said flashlight means, the said base resting on the forearm forming a steady rest for writing, spring-urged clamp means secured to the said base and: interiorly of the said weatherproof enclosure means, and writing tablet means releasably held: by the: said: clamp means.

l. A weatherproof writing accessory and flashlight means, comprising a weatherproof enclosure means including a base of substantially triangular configuration, av transparentcover Shell. made off plastic material and of" substantially semi-conical configuration secured to the said base, and a textile end enclosure secured to the said cover and to the said base defining a Writing enclosure shielded from the elements, said end closure having an elastic arm hole, a partially funnel-shaped adapter element secured to the said base and the said transparent cover, duplex flashlight means having one of its ends secured removably to the said adapter element, ear means on the said flashlight means for engagement by the thumb of a human hand permitting the fingers to envelop the body of the said flashlight means, the said base resting on the forearm forming a steady rest for writing, lamp bulb means at each end of the said duplex flashlight means shedding rays of illumination toward the interior confines of the said weather- 6 proof enclosure means and forwardly and exteriorly of the said enclosure means, spring-urged clamp means secured to the said base and interiorly of the said weatherproof enclosure means, and writing tablet means releasably held by the said clamp means.

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